The gunmen targeted a hotel in a town in Gilgit-Baltistan that serves as the base camp for mountaineers headed for Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth highest peak.

The attack took place on Saturday night in the remote region. Deputy Inspector General of Police Ali Sher told reporters that the armed men barged into a hotel and killed tourists from different countries.

Police cordoned off the area and launched a hunt for the killers. Reports said five Ukrainians, three Chinese, a Russian national and a Pakistani were among the dead though this could not be independently confirmed.

The incident was the first of its kind in Gilgit-Baltistan and raised serious questions about the safety of scores of tourists, many of them foreigners that visit the region.